Fourth Grade Bilingual Teacher

One of the reasons I decided to become a teacher was because, during my college years, I realized that I loved training and tutoring others. I saw teaching as an opportunity to give back to the community, specifically to our children. My upbringing made me realize the importance of education. While thinking of my childhood, I still remember the name of my kindergarten teacher and the years when I made my best friends in high school while learning and feeling safe. Those experiences inspired me to be an educator as well. I wanted to give kids the best level of education possible while making them feel safe, welcome, and valued.

Another factor that made me choose teaching was becoming a mother. This helped put into perspective just how great a teacher's impact is on the future, and I wanted to be part of that difference. I firmly believe that education is the key to success. I felt that if I could be part of that journey in the growing generation, my life's purpose would be fulfilled.

Lastly, I was influenced to choose education because it is simply one of the most rewarding careers one can have. It doesn't end when the school year ends or the students move to a different grade, your students become part of you, part of your family, your colleagues are not only other professionals in the building they are your friends and family and that is something worth working for.

Teaching means sharing knowledge, ideas and opinions. Teaching is what drives our society to new horizons. It is in the classroom that kids not only learn how to write and read, but they also learn how to make friends, how to be curious about the world and how they can change the world and make it better for themselves and for our community. I believe I am a god teacher and role model for my students because I really care about them, and they know it. Our classroom is full of respect and opportunities, a place where they can make mistakes and ask questions freely, a place where they learn something new every day and they get to feel proud of themselves. I think that such an environment equips my students to be better learners. In my daily lessons I make sure my students use their full potential and knowledge to learn more, I try to connect to them by using our similar experiences and our common background, by letting them know that they can achieve anything they want if the apply themselves and study. I usually tell them that the sky is the limit and that anything is possible with a good education.

Social Worker – Child Study Team

I chose this profession due to my love for children, family, and the community in which I live. My growth and year of life experience only expanded my desire to share the love, commitment, dedication, and support to others. I am forever grateful to have the opportunity to do what I enjoy, which is to provide service, counseling, and support to children and families within my community. Having the opportunity to work with Elizabeth School District Special Services Department and to carry this mission out at Sonia Sotomayor school is just an added bonus, and for that I am forever grateful.

My role as a child study team case manager/social worker is to advocate on behalf of the students in need and to ensure that the appropriate accommodation, interventions, and resources are provided so all students are given the opportunity for academic growth. This includes but is not limited to; assessing the needs of students, providing appropriate social work services, monitoring student performance, consulting with instructional staff to assist in providing strategies and interventions for student’s academic, social, and personal growth, and coordinating services for and communications with student’s family and other social service resources.

What makes me exceptional in my position is my willingness to go above and beyond to meet the needs of students and to ensure appropriate resources and support are provided. I have an open-door policy in which ALL students are welcome to enter if they need time out, a safe place to talk, or just laugh to uplift their day. I’m an empathic social worker with great communication skills. I am a critical thinking, active listening, culturally competent, patient, professional, and strong advocate for youth, with a sense of humor which character traits students and their families have embraced and shared their appreciation for my genuine concern, care, and support.  

I have participated in several activities conducted at the school (e.g. movie night, parent night, adopt a class book reading, Mental Health Awareness school fair, trick a trunk for the kids etc.) I am also currently working with the afterschool Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program to assist in meeting the social emotional needs of students to help them develop the skills which to self-regulate throughout the school day and function at their highest potential which to provide students with the opportunity to achieve school success.